How often do you have the luxury of just being? No phones, no emails, no traffic, no nothing for an hour or so. A chance to let go of all the distractions of life. A chance to let the mind rest, the breath to deepen, your muscles to soften and relax. A guided visualization to take you away from the daily routine. Soft music to soothe the soul. A chance to sink down into that stillness of being to experience a deep peace and serenity. Ah, where is this oasis?
It doesn’t have to be a retreat to a secluded location. You can find that deep peace through the practice of Restorative Yoga. Yes, I know ‘practice’ conjures up the picture of ‘doing’ something. However, in this case, the ‘doing’ requires positioning your body comfortably on props such as bolsters, blocks and blankets. You may enjoy an eye pillow to divert your gaze inward and quiet the mind. Perhaps a spritz of lavender oil to soothe the senses.
Numerous benefits are attributed to the practice of restorative yoga:
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure
- Encourages healthy patterns of breathing
- Moves the spine in all directions to increase flexibility
- Helps during recovery from illness or injury
- Stretches muscles, fascia and connective tissue to facilitate a full range of movement
- Reverses the effects of gravity with inverted poses, which change the flow of blood and fluids
- Conserves energy, redirecting it to restore, replenish and rejuvenate the body
- Quiets the mind, increasing a sense of peace and well-being
Find a yoga studio near you that offers Restorative Yoga and take the art of ’just being’ to a new level.
Join Kathy at Yoga is Youthfulness, located on Castro Street in Mountain View. Visit www.yogaisyouth.com for more class schedules and directions to the studio.
